Decorative cover for plastic seasonal articles

ABSTRACT

A decorative fabric cover for overlying a seasonal plastic shell, such as a Halloween pumpkin, and bearing decorative motifs or themes representative of other seasonal or designated occasions.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 121 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/314,079 filed on Aug. 23, 2001 in the name of Eleanor Reilly and entitled “Decorative Cover for Plastic Seasonal Articles”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to decorative covers for plastic molded seasonal articles, such as Halloween pumpkins and snowballs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Halloween plastic pumpkins and plastic snowballs are commonly used as displays associated with a particular time of year. The articles are commonly formed of a generally thin plastic shell carrying on the outer surface decorative indicia symbolic of the seasonal period. The articles may be used for decorative displays and also as carriers for goods, trinkets, and like items. As specifically designed products, after the depicted season, the articles have no continuing utility and are generally stored until the next seasonal use. During long storage periods, the articles are susceptible to damage or to being misplaced.

[0004] Means of covering articles, including slip covers, chair covers, table cloths, and similar devices, have been used for years. Such means often have retention techniques for securing the means to the article. Specifically, a cover for articles such as wastebasket liners and tissue boxes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,733, to Rosenthal. This invention has a substantially rigid construction that cannot be readily adapted to the bulbous shape of a plastic molded seasonal article. A bathroom accessory cover with pleated sides and an elongated, stiffly flexible element for resting against the inner walls of the container adjacent the rim for securing the cover to the bathroom accessory is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,567, to Richardson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,860, to Richardson, discloses a flower pot cover that is a decorative cover for plant receptacles intended to coordinate the appearance of the underlying container with the drapes or bedspread of the room in which the plant is located. U.S. Pat. No. 2,035,384 teaches a textile jacket for household utensils, drinking glasses, and other containers for liquid and powdered materials preferably composed of a woven, knitted, or crocheted fabric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a decorative cover for thin-walled plastic decorative seasonal containers that when installed on such containers provide a different outward appearance. The present invention provides a decorative cover that may be disposed over the seasonal article and carry thematic materials symbolic of other uses, such as general and specific holidays, anniversaries, or birthdays. The decorative covers may be uniquely designed for and adapted to specific occasions. The decorative theme of the cover may be provided by a base material of suitable pumpkin coloration and material, and defined by appliqués in the form of eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, and the like to artistically display the theme. Such appliqués may be stitched, adhesively secured, or otherwise suitably attached to the base panel.

[0006] The article may be provided with a patriotic theme cover with stars and stripes to celebrate National holidays or to express patriotism. The article may be provided with a seasonal theme cover associated with particular religious and secular seasons. Further, the article may be provided with a designated theme cover associated with a discrete event. The variety of themes possible permits adaptation of the containers for a multitude of occasions and uses and allows year-round use.

[0007] A cover, when disposed on a container, is held in place with elastic members or other suitably expansive materials that are typically sewn into the edge portions of the upper and lower rims of the decorative cover that engage the container at the top and base portions. The shape of the generally spherical sidewalls of the container prevent the movement of the upper and lower edges towards the more bulbous midsections of the containers and thereby prevent the decorative covers from moving and revealing the underlying surfaces of the container. The decorative covers do not extend into and do not obstruct the top opening of the container. Likewise, the decorative covers do not extend below and, therefore do not interfere with, the base portion of the container or a pedestal provided therein.

[0008] A base cover may be formed from a suitably conformal material comprising one or more longitudinally stitched or otherwise connected panels of the same or different patterns, materials, and/or textures. Limited elasticity woven materials are particularly well adapted for conforming to the bulbous outer surface of the molded article.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing decorative cover for a plastic molded seasonal container that has alternative thematic content and adapts the container for multiple occasions. Such a cover affords year-round use of the container rather than short-term, one-event or one-season use with intervening periods of long-term storage.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a cover that is inexpensive, easily cleaned, and durable such that the cover can be exposed to weather elements or sunshine for multiple years without significant discoloration or degradation that can occur from placement on a porch or in a window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following written description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic seasonal article in the form or a Halloween pumpkin for covering with the decorative cover according to the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plastic seasonal article of FIG. 1 provided with a Halloween theme decorative cover in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plastic seasonal article of FIG. 1 provided with a patriotic theme striped decorative cover according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the plastic article of FIG. 1 provided with a holiday theme decorative cover according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plastic seasonal article of FIG. 1 provided with a birthday theme decorative cover according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0017]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the plastic seasonal article of FIG. 1 illustrating the attachment of the decorative cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and not for limiting same, FIGS. 1 and 6 show a typical plastic seasonal article 10, which may are in the form of a Halloween pumpkin or a snowball bearing an as sold, original decorative motif. The article 10 has a generally spherical or curvilinear bulbous thin wall shell or body 12 having a planar circular base 14. A carrying strap 16 may be attached at the interior upper end of the base. The body 12 terminates at an upper end with an annular rim 18. The inner surfaces of the body 12 and the base 14 define an upwardly opening storage cavity 19. Such articles are commercially available in varying sizes and provided with thematic decorative material associated with a particular seasonal occasion. As mentioned, examples include pumpkins associated with the Halloween season and snowballs associated with the winter season.

[0019] In accordance with the invention, a decorative fabric cover is provided for overlying the body 12. The cover is provided with a decorative motif associated with other occasions, thereby enabling ongoing usage of the article for a variety occasions beyond that provided by the basic article thereby increasing the value and versatility thereof.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, an article may be provided with a Halloween theme cover 30 different from that on the original article. The base cover may be formed from a suitably conformal material, which comprises a single longitudinally stitched or otherwise connected panel, or a plurality of such panels of the same or different patterns, materials, and/or textures, thereby forming an open ended surface of revolution generally in tubular or sleeve form. Woven materials exhibiting limited elasticity are particularly well adapted for conforming to the bulbous outer surface of the molded article.

[0021] As formed, the base panel has a continuous peripheral upper end and a continuous peripheral lower end, with the longitudinal length thereof being greater than the vertical surface length of the outer surface of the article. Referring to FIG. 6, the upper end 40 of the base panel 42 is reversely folded and stitched at seam, not shown, to form a peripheral sleeve 50 in which an upper elastic band member 52 is retained. In unassembled form, the sleeve 50 may be expanded against the biasing of the band member 52 to allow telescopic insertion of the article 10 into the base panel 42. The lower end 50 is similarly reversely folded and stitched at a peripheral seam, not shown, to form a peripheral sleeve 56 in which a lower elastic band member 58 is retained. In assembly, the band members 48, 58 constrict the sleeves 46, 58, respectively, to tension, circumferentially and axially, the material of the base panel against the outer surface of the body 12 to provide a conformal fit, substantially without ripples or pleats.

[0022] The decorative theme of the cover 30 in FIG. 2 may be provided by a base material of suitable pumpkin coloration and material, and defined by appliqués 60 in the form of eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, and the like to artistically display the theme. Such appliqués 60 may be stitched, adhesively secured, screen printed, or otherwise suitably attached to the base panel.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the article may be provided with a patriotic theme cover 70 comprising of striped or starred panels 72, 74 in a décor associated with National origins or holidays. As shown in FIG. 4, the article may be provided with a seasonal theme cover 80 associated with particular seasons, such as a winter display having pine trees 82 and articles symbolic of the winter season, such as snowballs 84. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the article may be provided with a designated theme cover 90 associated with a discrete event, such as a birthday legend or appliqué 92, anniversaries, graduations, baptisms, or other significant generally celebrated events.

[0024] The decoratively covered articles as above described may be further transformed for the chosen occasion may be used for display, use as flower and food carriers, as well as gift containers, hostess gifts, and like uses.

[0025] The decorative covers are preferably formed from planar fabric material of a desired opaque washable material appropriate for the intended use. As described above, the material is sewn at a side seam providing an open-ended sleeve having a conformal fit with the outer surface of the article body having hemmed upper and lower borders. Hook and loop fasteners and other fastening means may also be used at the base. Further as shown in FIG. 4, the completed decorative shell may be mounted on or integrally connected with a suitable pedestal 94.

[0026] It will be appreciated that throughout the year, the article may be provided with desired decorative displays appropriate for all occasions, and not relegated for single occasion use and storage or disposal.

[0027] Having thus described a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will now be appreciated that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the sprit and scope of the present invention. The disclosures and description herein are intended to be illustrative and are not in any sense limiting of the invention, which is defined solely in accordance with the following claim. 

What is claimed:
 1. In combination with a molded plastic article having a generally spherical sidewall having an original decorative outer surface bearing a first decorative theme and joined at a lower end to an integral planar base and upwardly terminating at an annular rim and defining an upwardly opening cavity, a decorative cover for changing the first decorative theme, comprising; an open end sleeve accommodating telescopic insertion of said article thereinto and bearing a second decorative theme selected from the group consisting of special celebratory occasions, seasonal motifs, and national origin motifs, said cover formed of a material for conforming without rippling or pleating to said spherical side wall; and elastic constricting means associated with the ends of said sleeve for conformably tensioning said cover over said original surface of said article.
 2. The decorative cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said material is woven and has limited elasticity for conforming to said spherical side wall.
 3. The decorative cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said article is a plastic molded pumpkin.
 4. The decorative cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said article is a plastic molded snowball.
 5. The decorative cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said second decorative theme is a patriotic theme.
 6. The decorative cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said second decorative theme is a birthday theme.
 7. The decorative cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said second decorative theme is appliqués.
 8. The decorative cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said second decorative theme is screen printed.
 9. The decorative cover as recited in claim 7 wherein said appliqués are stitched.
 10. The decorative cover as recited in claim 7 wherein said appliqués are adhesively secured. 